Resolution to rename Kerala as Keralam passed in the assembly

The proposal to rename Kerala to Keralam was passed in the Kerala assembly with all political factions in full agreement to it. 

While putting forth the proposition, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan said,“The state is named Keralam in Malayalam. States were formed on the basis of linguistic diversity in India on November 1, 1956. Kerala was formed on the same day. This demand  had also emerged during the freedom struggle. The need to form a united Kerala state for all Malayalam speaking people was identified.”

He further stated,”But under the first Schedule of the Constitution, the name of the state had been recorded as Kerala. The Assembly puts forth a unanimous request to the central government to make necessary amendments to change the official name of the state to ‘Keralam’ in all official languages under the Eighth schedule of the Constitution.” 

The domain of change of state names falls under the ambit of the Centre’s Ministry of Home Affairs as per article 3 and article 4 of the Constitution. No objection certificates have to be obtained from the Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts, Intelligence Bureau, Survey of India and Register General of India.